Biography

Dr. Fietzer is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy. She also serves as the Wellness Coordinator for the MSMU undergraduate student athletes. Dr. Fietzer graduated from Occidental College with an advanced bachelor’s degree in Biology (biochemistry emphasis) and a minor in Classical Studies. She achieved her DPT from Mount Saint Mary’s University. After four years in a broad range of clinical practice settings, she returned to school with a keen interest in biomechanical and neuromotor control-related research. She earned her PhD in Biokinesiology from the University of Southern California.

Dr. Fietzer received several poster and platform presentation awards at various conferences, and is a two-time funding recipient of the Foundation for Physical Therapy. Her research focuses on the influence of altered biomechanical and neuromotor control factors related to the development and recurrence of overuse injury. Her recent studies employed uncontrolled manifold analysis to examine differences in the sources and types of movement variability in those with and without a history of Achilles tendinopathy. She has also explored the capacity for verbal cues directing attentional focus externally to alter this variability structure in these two populations. Her studies seek to inform interventions to prevent symptom recurrence and injury progression.

Dr. Fietzer maintains a small private practice in sports and orthopedic physical therapy. She has provided medical coverage for Cirque du Soleil, the Lucinda Childs Dance Company, and the Association of Volleyball Professionals. She previously served as a representative of the Greater Los Angeles District to the California Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Research interests:

The influence of altered biomechanical and neuromotor control factors related to the development and recurrence of overuse injury.